by Mantas Aliukonis
Marius Adamonis is delivering his message through performances rather than statements. In Italy’s Serie B, the Panevėžys-born goalkeeper has become a central figure for FC Südtirol, and his form is difficult to ignore.
The 28-year-old has made 37 appearances in the Italian second tier, posting a 73 per cent save rate. Südtirol sit in mid-table, and since the start of the calendar year they have won five of their seven matches, conceding only three goals in that stretch. After yesterday’s 2-1 away league win against Bari, their form has continued to impress. Over the last ten league games, Adamonis has kept five clean sheets and conceded just five goals, collecting 19 points as the club climbed to ninth place among 20 teams. They now sit just four points behind eighth-placed Cesena, a position that would allow them to compete in the play-offs for a chance at Serie A football.
His standing within the squad is reflected in responsibility. In the 22nd round against US Catanzaro 1929, he wore the captain’s armband. The Lithuanian has now spent a full year in Bolzano, near the Swiss border, after the club made his move permanent last summer. He had previously been contracted to Serie C side Catania before impressing Südtirol on loan.
Marius Adamonis’ football journey began at the Panevėžys Football Academy, where the foundations of his career were laid. His first coach was Vidmantas Kuncė, but Adamonis is clear about who had the greatest influence. “The one who spent the longest time with me and gave me the most was Albinas Radeckas,” he says. “My whole journey started at the Panevėžys Football Academy.”
Goalkeeping was not the original plan. In his early years, Adamonis also played as a centre-back, and the urge to step out of the penalty area still surfaces. “Even now I often feel the desire to play out on the field,” he says with a smile. The physical demands of the position have brought unusual moments. On 17 January, in a match against Empoli near Florence, snow covered the pitch and Adamonis put plastic bags over his feet to keep warm. “It brought back nostalgia, like returning to my youth and remembering what it was like in Lithuania.”
On 26 September 2015, aged 18, Adamonis made his A Lyga debut for Atlantas Klaipėda. The transition from youth to senior football remains vivid. The debut came at home against Utenos Utenis. He remembers Konstantin Sarsanija and the intensity of training sessions, as well as the challenge of stepping into the starting role when first-choice goalkeeper Mindaugas Malinauskas was injured. A decisive bronze medal match against Marijampolė’s Sūduva stands out. “I had to play important matches, which we won,” Adamonis says. The financial reality was stark. “The first money I earned went towards survival, because it was barely enough.”
In autumn 2016, Adamonis moved to Lazio for €1.4 million, then a record fee for a Lithuanian player. The transfer followed strong Europa League qualifying performances against HJK and was facilitated by his agent Paulius Paknys. “Lazio were watching those matches,” Adamonis explains. A recent spell with Bournemouth in the English Premier League setup also played a role. “I think the fact that I had attracted attention from a serious club in England also helped.”
The period in Rome lasted longer than expected. Adamonis believed an opportunity would come. “I truly believed I would get a chance to play at least in the cup or in one or two matches at the end of the season,” he says. That breakthrough did not arrive. From 2017 onwards, Adamonis moved through Casertana, Salernitana, Perugia and Leonzio in search of minutes. “Those decisions were made in order to get playing time and experience.”
Greater stability has followed in recent seasons. A key moment this campaign came in August in a Coppa Italia match against Como. Südtirol lost 3-1, but Adamonis views the performance as a turning point. “That match helped me grow and gave me confidence for the whole season.” A difficult spell followed, when points slipped away, but conversations within the squad and with staff reshaped direction. “Together with the club management we looked at what we could improve. So far it seems we have regained belief in ourselves as a team.”
Adamonis does not hide his ambitions regarding the Lithuanian national team. Having represented the country at youth level, he continues to look toward the senior side. “I always expect it,” he says. “There shouldn’t even be questions about who is the best Lithuanian goalkeeper at the moment.” He points to the limited number of Lithuanian goalkeepers playing consistently in high-level foreign leagues and adds, “I hope one day it will happen, and I will be ready.”
The senior debut came in Estonia on a frozen surface. “We were practically playing on ice rather than on a football pitch,” Adamonis recalls. An official competitive debut remains a target.
Serie B has sharpened his focus. “You can’t relax for a second,” Adamonis says. “The football is very tactical and practically played until a mistake.” The tension before matches persists. “The nerves are there before every match until you step onto the pitch.”
Personal assessment is secondary to collective performance. “I’m more satisfied with the team’s form,” Adamonis explains. Questions about interest from Serie A clubs or future moves are left aside. “I don’t know anything about next year or about interest from other clubs.”
For Adamonis, goalkeeping is defined by concentration. “A moment can come at any time that decides the game.” He has never entered a match unprepared, though there have been appearances from the bench and games played through pain and fever. “A goalkeeper’s form depends a lot on the team’s form,” he says. “Sometimes small details decide whether you keep a clean sheet or concede.”
Nearly a decade has passed since Adamonis left Lithuania. Visits home are frequent whenever possible. “I miss it very much,” he says. Italy offers professional growth but also daily challenges. “I don’t like the language barrier,” Adamonis admits, adding that bureaucracy and paperwork can be frustrating. “I still don’t understand many Italian terms.” Even so, the overall tone is balanced: “I enjoy life, but home is home.”
There is little appetite for nightlife and no interest in displaying wealth. “I have nothing to boast about,” Adamonis says with a smile. Thoughts about life after football have begun to take shape, with real estate and car trading among the possible directions. With that in mind, looking back, one match remains especially significant: his Serie B debut for Salernitana against Ascoli Calcio, when Adamonis saved a penalty and kept a clean sheet.
For now, the objective at Südtirol is clear and unchanged. “The goal this year is to stay in the league,” Adamonis says. “Like every year.”
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